James, Earl of Wessex's rural studies have fitting connection to King's lifelong interests

James, Earl of Wessex, is set to begin his university education at an institution with a particularly significant royal connection.

The Royal Agricultural University is currently under the patronage of his uncle, King Charles.

The 18-year-old will study Rural Land & Property Management at the university in Cirencester, following in the footsteps of a long royal association with the institution. 

Every reigning monarch since Queen Victoria has served as its patron, while Charles himself became president in 1982 when he was still Prince of Wales.

That makes James’s choice of university particularly fitting, placing his studies in an institution closely connected to the King’s interest in agriculture, land and the countryside.

The university itself has continued to expand its work in sustainable agriculture and innovation, with major projects including a new Land Laboratory Teaching Centre and an Innovation Village.

James will be the first member of the British Royal Family to study at the RAU, although he will not be the first royal to pass through its doors. 

His decision also marks a different route from that taken by his older sister, Lady Louise Windsor. 

Louise received her A-Level results in 2022 before going on to study English at the University of St Andrews, where she has since graduated.

Other members of the younger generation of the Royal Family have taken very different educational paths. 

Prince William and Prince Harry both attended Eton College, breaking with the tradition of studying at Gordonstoun followed by earlier generations.